DiPaola Leads Lakers Attack In Strong Showing In Arch City Invite

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Roosevelt took care of business against its only NAIA foe of the weekend to finish 1-2 at the Arch City Invite on Friday and Saturday in St. Louis, Mo.

The Lakers (3-7) opened their Saturday with a matchup against Cumberland and took down the Phoenix in four sets. Andrea DiPaola led the team with 17 kills, one of three Lakers who finished in double figures in that department. Diego Esquivel added 15 kills and seven digs while Mark Zmojdzin slammed down 13 kills while tying for the team led with DiPaola and Christopher Fermaintt with nine digs.

Michele Bascape had one of his best matches with the Lakers with 46 assists to help the offense run efficiently. Roosevelt also took advantage of its serves with eight aces, two each from the attacking trio of DiPaola, Esquivel and Zmojdzin as well as a pair from Lachlan Diamond. The Aussie middle blocker also had two solo blocks and four kills in the match.

Due to weather and some bus issues for other teams in the event, the Lakers' opponent Friday was switched while on the road to St. Louis. Now taking on Missouri S&T in their opener, the Lakers battled in a straight-sets defeat to the NCAA opponent despite seven kills each from DiPaola, Esquivel and Zmojdzin. Roosevelt benefitted in the match from 14 service errors for the Miners as well as 22 assists from Bascape.

Roosevelt took on the hosts, Maryville, in the final match of the weekend due to the change, and put up another strong fight in a three-set setback. The Lakers hit .213 as a team, led by 13 kills from DiPaola, but struggled to maintain the early momentum in the first and third sets. Roosevelt held a lead midway through both sets before the Saints were able to close out both games.

The Lakers stay closer to home this upcoming weekend with four matches at the Judson Eagle Classic in Elgin. Roosevelt faces Olivet and Indiana Tech on Friday before taking on Midway and Calvin on Saturday.